Help to find durable shoes

[StasTs]

I'm playing in Europe => clay courts. During season I'm playing 2-4 times a week.
Here is experience with previous shoes:
1) Adidas Barricade 2017 clay - It was first year I've just started playing tennis again (after 15 years of not playing) and they lasts about 4 months. After that upper part is tore apart. Also they are a bit heavy for my taste, but it's not something very bad. I'm still using Barricade 2017 All Courts for my indoor winter practices.
2) Head Nitro (Nzzzo?) Pro Clay - Pretty cheap (~70 EUR), lasts for whole summer season (start of 2018 and I have to throw them away after 1 week tennis camp in April 2019). Really like shoes: light, good grip, but still allow sliding on clay. I've tried to buy same shoes, but in April there was no available in whole Germany/Austria in size 42. I don't know if it's discontinued or what? I've bought some rest paar right now after disaster with other shoes this year.
3) Nike Vapor X Clay - Expensive (>120 EUR). Very bad shoelaces design. Because of this, it's very hard to properly tighten them. In terms of comfort, after playing 1 week I've got callus bubbles (is it right term in English?) at ball and big toes on both feet. I've tried everything like double socks or vaselin, but it doesn't help in this shoes. When playing I've got really feeling that my foot is sliding inside on start running to drop shots or when sliding on clay court. Good things, that when I'm about to give up they tore apart as well Lasts ~ 1.5 months of 3-4 times a week training/match sessions.
4) Head Speed Pro SF - Expensive (>120 EUR). Because of not available Nitro/Nzzzo from Head I've decided to go for head top clay court shoes. Head promised excellent durability on light shoes. In terms of comfort they are probably the best I've wore so far. This build with neoprene(?) sock inside helps a lot to make feet stable. I'm was fully satisfied with them, but nothing is perfect. They lasts for 1.5 months only. I've bought them on July, 16 and on August, 8th during training I've got tear on right shoe just above small toe. Checking them more, I've found that there is a tear between sole and fabric on left shoe as well. It wasn't glue problem, it was tear in fabric as well, just above where it connected to sole. Funny things, that on normal fabric, you can see how cracks start showing. On these shoes, it was like -> fabric like new, then next moment there is through hole

So I've got again the task to find proper clay shoes. I'm really like design with some kind of neoprene sock build inside. It was in Barricade in less extend and in both Head shoes. I do like light weight shoes, but probably can live with heavy ones that are really durable. I need shoes that lasts minimum whole season (April-Ocrober).
I'm playing currently around ~4.0 Austrian ITN (~4.5-5 NTRP).
Any suggestions?

 

[JOSHL]

You should try Asics. Most durable shoes I’ve ever tried. Gel resolution or Speed FF

 

[rafa_prestige89]

Adidas Solecourt Boost clay or Asics Gel Resolution 7 clay

 

[MikeMechanic]

Asics with a clay court profile. Very durable.

However when I read your experiences you just bought the wrong size every-time.

 

[StasTs]

However when I read your experiences you just bought the wrong size every-time.

My natural size without socks (measured on A4 paper ) is 40.5 EU. With socks and little space ahead it's 41.5-42. I'm buying 42, because otherwise it's really painful when you run for stops.

 

[Moonballballer]

Adidas Solecourt Boost clay or Asics Gel Resolution 7 clay

These are hands down the best and most durable clay court shoes. Gel resolution probably the most popular clay court shoe worldwide if you're not considering sponsored players.

 

[Ultra 2]

I'm currently using the Head SF.. it has the neoprene sockliner you like. I'm liking it thus far.

 

[FIRETennis]

@StasTs bringing this thread back from the dead ....
I am experiencing similar issues with shoes on European red clay. In the last few months I have been playing higher level players and more intense matches.
My shoes are starting to behave like they are made out of straw.
In the last 6 months, I have destroyed the uppers of: 2x Nike Zoom Vapor X Clay, 2x K-Swiss Supremes and it looks like the new Asics Speed FF2's fabric upper are showing signs of serious wear and tear after 3 weeks.
I also play indoor hard court with dedicated hard court shoes and hour for hour, the hard court editions of the same shoes are lasting me much much longer.
My theory is that the clay and moisture acts like sandpaper and it disintegrates any soft texture. Maybe sliding also hurts the shoes?
I experience the same problem with strings, balls and overgrips. The red clay and moisture from sweat, air, surface completely destroys anything it comes in contact with.
The only shoes that have survived a year on clay for me have been the Gel Resolution 7s. I do not love the Gel Resolution 8's fit but I might have to try if the upper holds out longer than 2 months....

The make matters worse, I have a wide foot so a lot of the more narrow brands and models do not fit me well.
Next on my to try list are the Adidas SoleCourt Boost, maybe the SoleMatch Bounce and the Lotto Mirage 300.

 

[StasTs]

@FIRETennis Last season I've used HEAD Nitro Pro (I would be happy if HEAD continue to produce them, but sadly I was not able to find them anymore) and Asics Gel Resolution 7. For my feets, HEAD is better Still Asics GR7 are OK shoes.

For new season, I've got what left rest of Asics and will try HEAD Resolve PRO 3.5. They are very similar to Nitro Pro. So hopefully, they would last for some time. Haven't tested them yet as it's all closed in Austria

PS (Edit) Of course both shoes are clay version.

 

[FIRETennis]

@FIRETennis Last season I've used HEAD Nitro Pro (I would be happy if HEAD continue to produce them, but sadly I was not able to find them anymore) and Asics Gel Resolution 7. For my feets, HEAD is better Still Asics GR7 are OK shoes.

For new season, I've got what left rest of Asics and will try HEAD Resolve PRO 3.5. They are very similar to Nitro Pro. So hopefully, they would last for some time. Haven't tested them yet as it's all closed in Austria

PS (Edit) Of course both shoes are clay version.

Thanks for the update. Glad I'm not the only one chewing up shoes on clay!
I agree the Asics GR7s are great. New Speed FF2s but won't last on clay with that fabric mesh top.
Haven't tried Head shoes yet. Will have to add them to the list to try, thanks.

 

[Lorenn]

@StasTs bringing this thread back from the dead ....
My theory is that the clay and moisture acts like sandpaper and it disintegrates any soft texture. Maybe sliding also hurts the shoes?
I experience the same problem with strings, balls and overgrips. The red clay and moisture from sweat, air, surface completely destroys anything it comes in contact with.
The only shoes that have survived a year on clay for me have been the Gel Resolution 7s. I do not love the Gel Resolution 8's fit but I might have to try if the upper holds out longer than 2 months....

Short answer...fine clay dust all over your equipment will act like sandpaper and damage your equipment.

Do you clean your equipment after playing? Brush off the claw and wipe down if needed? Even with cleaning I would assume quite a bit of dust would be inside the material which would be difficult to clean. Sliding is rough on shoes. Most shoes are made to last so many hours, but that is reduced by the intensity of play.

 

[FIRETennis]

Short answer...fine clay dust all over your equipment will act like sandpaper and damage your equipment.

Do you clean your equipment after playing? Brush off the claw and wipe down if needed? Even with cleaning I would assume quite a bit of dust would be inside the material which would be difficult to clean. Sliding is rough on shoes. Most shoes are made to last so many hours, but that is reduced by the intensity of play.

Yeah i brush and wipe of course. I've been playing on clay for years but just in the last couple of years manufacturers have moved toward fabric/mesh uppers to make shoes more breathable (and less durable). I fully understand shoes can't last forever but lately with these newer models it's been 4-6 weeks and that's just ridiculous. I shouldn't have to spend €1000 on shoes a year just because I play on clay 5x a week.. know what I mean?

 

[Lorenn]

Yeah i brush and wipe of course. I've been playing on clay for years but just in the last couple of years manufacturers have moved toward fabric/mesh uppers to make shoes more breathable (and less durable). I fully understand shoes can't last forever but lately with these newer models it's been 4-6 weeks and that's just ridiculous. I shouldn't have to spend €1000 on shoes a year just because I play on clay 5x a week.. know what I mean?

I agree shoes are poorly built now a days. It would be interesting to ask Borg how long a pair of shoes lasted. Fabric shoes I just think the clay gets between the mesh and grinds away.

 

[Ronaldo]

I agree shoes are poorly built now a days. It would be interesting to ask Borg how long a pair of shoes lasted. Fabric shoes I just think the clay gets between the mesh and grinds away.

Shirley Borg wore shoes with leather uppers. Tretorn or Diadora?

 

[Lorenn]

Shirley Borg wore shoes with leather uppers. Tretorn or Diadora?

It would be a good way to see shoe quality decline. Problem with players comparing directly is their play level may have increased...Sliding more etc...The main issue is I think a long lasting clay shoe would be expensive to make.

 

[Ronaldo]

It would be a good way to see shoe quality decline. Problem with players comparing directly is their play level may have increased...Sliding more etc...The main issue is I think a long lasting clay shoe would be expensive to make.

Held leather Tretorns and owned a pr. Head Arthur Ashe leather shoes from the late 70s and no current shoes uppers compare to those IMHO. Comfort? Forgetaboutit

 

[d-quik]

Lotto Mirage 300.

You try em yet? How was the width? Did it have a warranty for 6 months?